Apparatus for settling the contents of containers

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for settling the contents of containers and the like including a vertically vibratory platform and a weighted floating cover plate between which the containers pass. The platform is resiliently mounted and is vibrated by a pair of eccentric weights coordinately driven in opposite directions at substantially the same speed of rotation.

D United States Patent l 13,576,313

[72] lnventor Edward J. Derderian [56] References Cited gzntura Ave.,Fresno, Calif. 93721 UNITED STATES PATENTS [211 APPI- 1,581,780 4/1926Brass 259/59 2%; 5: te d g t- 3g; 3,289,610 12/1966 Lounsbury 259/54 p3,332,668 7/1967 Walker 259/59 3,427,004 2/1969 Cover 259/59 F PrimaryExaminer-Robert W. Jenkins [54] OR SETTLING THE CONTENTS 0Attorney-Huebner and Worrel 12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl259/59, ABSTRACT: Apparatus for settling the contents of containers259/2 and the like including a vertically vibratory platform and a [51]lnt.Cl. B0lf 1-1/00 weighted floating cover plate between which thecontainers [50] Field of Search 99/186; pass. The platform isresiliently mounted and is vibrated by a pair of eccentric weightscoordinately driven in opposite directions at substantially the samespeed of rotation.

" PATENTED m? m SHEET 1 BF 3 EDWARD J. DERDER/A/V INVENTOR ,4 7'TORNEVSPATENTED APR27 19n- SHEEI 2 OF 3 EDWARD J. DE RDER/AN INVENTOR M 7 1%! AT TORNEYJ PATENTED APRZ'I I971 SHEET 3 BF 3 EDWARD J. DERDER/ANAPPARATUS FOR SETTLING THE CONTENTS OF CONTAINERS BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus and method forsettling the contents of containers, as in the settling of fruit andother produce for shipment or storage and more particularly to improvedapparatus of such type which reliably settles the content of thecontainers to a desirable'disposition in a rapid and reliable manner.

In the preparation of produce for shipment, it has long been the customto hand pack the produce into containers so that it will be compact,protected during transport, and present a pleasing visual appearancewhen displayed to the ultimate customer. However, modern labor costs arerapidly making such packing economically unfeasible. As a substitute. ithas been necessary to adapt what is known as the "random pack."

In the random pack, the produce is simply deposited by any suitablemeans, frequently mechanical, into a container and the container liddedfor shipment. However, later when the container is subjected to jostlingand shaking incident to handling and transporting, the contents settle.As a result, the container arrives at its destination only three-fourthsto twothirds full. This is completely undesirable because, not only doesit result in a waste of shipping space, but it creates an unfavorableimpression upon the customer. Apparently what happens is that whilestatic, the items of produce are held in initial dispositions by staticfriction, the coefficient of which is, of course, greater than thecoefficient of kinetic friction related thereto. Thus, because ofshaking and jostling during handling and shipping, kinetic frictionbecomes effective in various parts of the container so that relativemovement occurs and the articles redispose themselves, settling to agreater density lower in the container.

Heretofore, vibrating devices have been employed to settle fruit and thelike in a container prior to shipping or storage. However, such deviceshave not been completely satisfactory because although the produce hasbeen settled in certain portions of the container it has been piled upin others. In other words, while intending to compact the producedownwardly, conventional vibrators have movedthe produce horizontallyand in some instances even tended to loosen the pack in certain portionsof the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the presentinvention to provide an improved apparatus for settling fruit and thelike in containers.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for settling packing fruit incontainers which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art devices.

Another object is to provide an apparatus which is effective in settlingfruit in containers so that the containers can be shipped insubstantially full condition.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for settling produce incontainers which operates in a rapid and reliable manner.

' Another object is to provide an apparatus for settling fruit incontainers which is of relatively simple and economical construction.

These and other objects and advantages are achieved by an apparatushaving a vertically vibrating platform, over which the filled containersare adapted to slide, and a floating weighted cover plate pressingdownwardly on the containers. Vibratory movement is imparted to theplatform by a plurality of rotary eccentric weights driven in oppositedirections in coordination at substantially the same rate of speed. Theweights can be varied for obtaining predetermined vibratory effects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. l is a top plan view of anapparatus embodying the principles of the present invention.

LII

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing acontainer feeding means related thereto.

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary end elevation of the apparatus illustrating themanner of resiliently supporting the vibratory platfon'n of theapparatus.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevation of one of the eccentric weights ofthe apparatus.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section illustrating therelation of the containers to the apparatus during operation thereof.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation of a second form of uppercontainer compressing mechanism for the apparatus of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a somewhat enlarged perspective of the compressor deviceremoved from the apparatus of the present inventron.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, andto FIGS. 1 and 2 in particular, there is illustrated an apparatusembodying the principles of the present invention designated generallyby reference numeral 10 and consisting essentially of a framework 12, avibratory platform 14 and a floating cover plate 16. The platform andplate are adapted to receive containers C therebetween, as shown in FIG.3 in dashed lines.

The framework 12 is conveniently constructed in any suitable manner toprovide a base 12b having anchor members such as angles 18 or the likefor securing the framework in fixed relation to a stable supportingsurface such as a floor or foundation. The framework 12 also includesspaced pairs of uprights or vertical standards 20, which can be ofchannel members or of any other suitable structural form secured to thesides of the base 12b. Intermediate the pairs of channel members 20 isanother pair of channel members or uprights 22 also secured to the basesides. Each pair of standards 20, at the upper ends thereof, journal oneof a pair of parallel shafts 24 on which are mounted a pair of pulleys26. The upper ends of the uprights 22 journal a transverse shaft 28parallel to the shafts 24. The shaft 28 carries a pair of spaced drums30 to which are connected the inner ends of lines or cables 32. Thelines are reeved over the pulleys 26 and have their other ends connectedto the cover plate 16, best seen in FIG. 3.

The drums 30 are parts of a winch device and the lines 32 are adapted tobe wound thereabout upon rotation. To this end, shaft 28 has secured toone end thereof a drive mechanism 34 which is actuated by a hand crank38 and held in any desired position of rotative adjustment by a detent42.

The cover plate 16 includes a suitable framework journaling a series oftransverse parallel rollers 44 along the length thereof. As will laterappear, the rollers 44 are adapted to engage the tops of the containersC filled with fruit or the like for gravitationally exerting downwardpressure thereon as the containers slide along the platform 14. Bymanipulating the crank 38 and detent 42 the cover plate can be disposedas desired with respect to the platform.

At each end of the base 12b there is provided an archlike support 46, asshown in FIG. 4. Mounted on top of each of the supports 46 is a pair ofsprings 48 the upper ends of which are secured to the platform 14 forresiliently mounting the same. The platform is adapted to be vibratedvertically while containers of fruit or the like slide therealong.Vibratory movement is imparted to the platform by a pair of rotaryeccentric weights 50, each secured to one of a pair of rotary shafts 52.Each respective shaft 52 is journaled in bearing mounts 54 which aresecured to the platform 14 by a bracket 56 having depending arms 58,best seen in FIG. 3. Each shaft 52 has a pulley 60 secured to one endthereof.

Referring to FIG. 5, each of the eccentric weights 50 is made up of aplurality of weights 50a attached to a block 50b by bolts 62 and nuts64. The block is keyed to its shaft 52 for rotation therewith and isheld in place thereon by a setscrew or the like 66.

Returning to FIG. 2, reeved about each of the pulleys 60 is a belt 68which is also reeved about a split pulley 70 secured to a rotary drivenshaft 72. The pulley 70 is of the type that provides for adjustment ofthe speed of the belt 68 by varying the radial distance thereof from theshaft 72.

Each of the shafts 72 is rotated by an electric motor 74 mounted on asupport frame 76. The frame 76 is positioned to dispose the shaft 72parallel to its associated shaft 52 and is adjustable to vary the spacebetween the shafts. To this end, the frame 76 has depending portions 78which are suitably perforated to receive a pair of generally horizontal,parallel support rods 80 for free sliding movement thereon. The ends ofthe support rods are affixed to cross members 82 suitably secured to thebase 12b, as shown in FIG. 2. Disposed intermediate the support rods 80and parallel thereto is a threaded shaft 84 suitably journaled on thecross members 82. Each shaft 84 is threadedly connected to its frame 76by a depending nut portion 85 and has a crank wheel 86 secured to oneend thereof. Thus, turning of the crank wheel 86 serves to move shaft 72relative to its shaft 52 to permit adjustment of the pulley 70 for speedregulation and take up slack in the belt 68. Alternatively, the motors74 and their associated structure can be mounted in depending relationfrom the platform 14 in a manner similar to the eccentric weights 50without changing the desired operation of the platform.

The motors 74 are selected to have an appropriate range of speeds and tooperate within r.p.m. of each other over the range. As shown by arrows88 in FIG. 2, the shafts S2 and the weights 50 are rotated in oppositedirections. Accordingly, with the eccentric weights rotated in oppositedirections at a coordinated speed, the horizontal thrusts imparted tothe platform 14 of the weights are substantially equal and opposite andtherefore cancel out so that the movement imparted to the platform issubstantially vertical. It will be appreciated, of course, that thedirection of rotation of the motors could be reversed and the vibratorymovement of the platform would still be substantially vertical.

In actual practice, an apparatus in accordance with the invention isconstructed with a cover plate 16 having a weight of about 365 poundsand covering three containers C moving along the platform 14 inend-to-end relation, each container being packed with fruit or the likeand weighing between 22 and 26 pounds. The apparatus was equipped withl,750 r.p.m., A-horsepower motors which are operated in the range of 800to 1,000 r.p.m. To facilitate the movement of the containers over theplatform, the upper surface thereof is polished or coated with a lowfriction material such as polytetrafluoroethylene, commonly known as"Teflon."

The containers can be moved along the platform 14 by any suitable means,for example, suitably spaced flight bars 90 carried by chains 92, asshown in dashed lines in FIGS. 2 and 3. An on ramp 94 serves to feed thecontainers onto the platform 14, and an off ramp 96 receives thecontainers coming off. It will be appreciated, of course, that othersuitable means could be utilized to advance the containers along theplatform.

Where the sizes of the containers and their contents are greater, weightcan be added to the cover plate 16 by securing weight bars or strips 98thereto, as shown in dashed lines in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the eccentricweights can be modified accordingly. With respect to the weights 50a, itwill be appreciated that they can be adjustably mounted on the bolts 62by the use of lock nuts securing one or several of them, as necessary,in spaced relation from the block.

OPERATION The operation of apparatus of the present invention isbelieved to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point.Referring to FIG. 6. there is shown a container C filled with articlesA, such as fruit or the like, with various shaped spaces or voids Vtherebetween. The filling of the container C is usually accomplished byfilling to overflowing with articles A and dumping or scraping off theexcess. A lid L of thin material is then applied, usually in archedcondition. Thus, the

peripheries of the articles A have various pressure points with adjacentportions of the container or other articles and are held in suchdispositions by static friction. As previously indicated, the apparatusis designed to handle a continuous string of containers with about threecontainers being disposed on the table at a time, the containers slidingfrom one end of the platform 14 to the other, while the cover plate I6rests gravitationally on the containers and their contents. Thus, as theplatform 14 is vibrated vertically by coordinated rotation the eccentricweights 50, in opposite directions, the platform alternately pushesupwardly against the bottoms of the containers C and withdraws therefrombecause of the inertia of the containers and their contents. Duringupward pushing by the platform 14, the containers C and their contentsare pressed upwardly against the gravitationally induced downwardpressure of the cover plate 16. Because of the inertia of the plate andthe vibratory effect of the platform, the contents of the containers aresubjected to varying compressive forces. This, combined with the shakingimparted by the vibration of a platform, causes relative movementbetween the articles A and a change from static friction to kineticfriction. As a result, the articles redispose themselves to reduce thesize of the voids therebetween and contact adjacent articles and/or theinterior of the container so that pressures on the peripheries of thearticles are equal and opposite and the articles thereafter remainsubstantially in equilibrium. With such redisposition the articles arepacked to a greater density within the containers and in a more stablerelationship with respect to each other so that there is substantiallylittle or no further settling of the articles during subsequent handlingand shipment.

SECOND FORM A second form of container compressing apparatus is shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. The upper compressing device is generally indicated bythe reference numeral and is substituted for the floating cover plate 16of the first form of the present invention. This form incorporates theframework 12 and the vibratory platform 14 of the first form with theexception of the addition .ofa limit switch 117 mounted on the platform14. The limit switch includes an actuating arm 118 which is pivotallymounted on the switch body and which includes an outer roller end 120normally upwardly extended into the path of container travel.

An upper frame is elevationally adjustably supported on the verticalstandards 20 of the first form in predetermined spaced substantiallyparallel relation to the platform 14. An elongated stationary rollerframe is disposed above the off ramp 96 in endwardly overlappingrelation to the container discharge end of the platform 14. Thestationary roller frame is mounted on the upper frame 125 by a pluralityof adjustable brackets, one of which is indicated by the referencenumeral 132. Each of the brackets includes an elongated slot 133 forslidably receiving a locking bolt and nut assembly 135 therethroughwhich is secured to a hanger strap assembly 137 on the upper frame. Thestationary roller frame mounts a plurality of transversely extendedspaced substantially parallel rollers 140 which provide substantiallyhorizontally aligned lower peripheral portions 141 for rollingengagement with the tops ofthe containers C. The roller frame iselevationally positions so as to engage the tops of the containers C ina tightly closed compressed condition prior to scaling.

The compressing apparatus of the second form of the present inventionincludes an upper superstructure 145 on the upper frame 125. Thesuperstructure is rigidly secured to the upper frame by a plurality ofangle brackets 146 in upwardly spaced relation from the discharge end ofthe vibratory platform 14. A pair of longitudinally spaccd power jacks150 are mounted in depending relation from the superstructure. Each ofthe jacks has a cylinder end 152 which is pivotally connected to amounting ear 153 on the superstructure and includes a pair of powersupply hoses 154 connected to a suitable source of power, not shown. Thejacks further include extendible-retractable rod ends 156 having lowerconnection clevices 157 thereon.

An elongated container compressing head 160 is suspended from the powerjacks 150 for elevational movement therewith in spaced, substantiallyparallel relation to the vibratory plattom 14. As best shown in FIG. 8,the compressing head provides a pair of spaced substantially parallelangle iron side rails 162 which have opposite leading and trailing ends163 and 164, respectively. The rails are rigidly interconnected by apair of cross plates 166 individually adjacent to the ends of the rails.Each of the plates has an upstanding ear 167 extended therefrom forpivotal connection to the associated clevices 157 of the power jacks150. A plurality of rollers 170 identical to the rollers 140 of thestationary roller frame are mounted in spaced substantially parallelrelation between the side rails 162 and include lower peripheralportions 172 extended beneath the rails. The compressing head isstabilized during its movement between an upper retracted position, asindicated in dashed lines in FIG. 7, and a lower compressing position,as shownin full lines, disposed in substantially coplanar relation withthe stationary roller frame 130 by a pair of stabilizer arms 175. Thearms are pivotally mounted at their lower ends on ears 176 upwardlyextended from the cross plate at the leading end 163 of the compressinghead and similarly pivotally mounted at their upper ends on ears 177secured to an angle bracket 178 on the upper frame 125.

The limit switch 117 is operatively connected to a suitable valve, notshown, for controlling the power flow to the jacks 150. The jacks areinitially retracted to dispose the compressing head 160 in its raiseddashed line position of FIG. 7. Upon movement of one of the containers Calong the vibratory platform 14 with the contents thereof in anunsettled condition 'and with the top of the container raised somewhatabove the sidewalls, the leading edge of the container engages theroller end 120 of the limit switch arm 118. At this point, the containeris approximately three-fourths of the way beneath the compressing headwhich is traveled downwardly against the top of the container incidentto actuation of the limit switch 117. The jacks are controlled to exertapproximately from to 50 pounds per square inch of compressive forceagainst the top of the container C thereby to provide a further settlingeffect upon the contents so that the top of the container issubstantially flattened. With containers having flaps which are glued orotherwise adhesively secured in closed position, the compressiveforceassures proper affixing of the flaps in place. As the containerscontinue their movement by the carrier chains 92 of the first form, theyslide easily under the stationary roller frame 130 to maintain the topsin a substantially flat condition.

After the container C is discharged from the vibratory platfonn 14, thelimit switch arm 118 is released and permitted to swing upwardly intothe path of container travel for engagement with the next succeedingcontainer while the power jacks are deactivated and effective to returnthe compressing head 160 upwardly to its dashed lineposition of FIG. 7.The next succeeding container is then permitted to travel along thevibratory platform without any restriction from the leading end of theside rails 162 of the compressing head until reaching the limit switcharm 118. The stabilizer arms 175 serve as a safety device for thesomewhat fragile rod ends of the power cylinders in the event that thecompressing head should remain in its lower position and is struck by anexpanded or unclosed container. In this event, the stabilizer annspreclude any damage to the cylinders and have sufficient strength toconstrain the container against the force of the carrier chains 92 whichare protected by the usual shear pin devices to preclude breakage.

There has thus been provided an apparatus and method which are highlyeffective in settling packing fruit in closed containers in a rapid andreliable manner and which minimizes waste of shipping space.

Although the Invention has been herein shown and described in what areconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it isrecognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of theinvention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed hereinbut is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace anyand all equivalent devices and apparatus. Having described my invention,what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

lclaim:

1. An apparatus for settling the contents of lidded containerscomprising means for moving the containers along a predetermined path,and means engaging the containers from above and below while traversingsaid path vertically compressing said containers and verticallyvibrating the containers while so compressed.

2. The apparatus of claim I in which the container engaging meansincludes a weighted cover gravitationally supported on the containerswhile they traverse said path.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the cover has a series of rollersin engagement with the containers.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 in which the container engaging meansincludes a substantially vertically movable platform supporting thecontainers from below.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which vertical movement is imparted tothe platform by a plurality of spaced vibratory devices.

6. The apparatus of claim'4 in which the platform has associatedtherewith a plurality of rotary eccentric weights driven atsubstantially the same rate of speed for vibrating the platform.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which the weights are rotated in oppositedirections.

8. The apparatus of claim 4 in which the platform has a low frictionsurface for sliding of the containers therealong.

9. An apparatus for settling the contents of lidded containerscomprising means for moving the containers along a predetermined path, avibratory substantially vertically movable platform supportablyengageable with the containers from beneath said path, an uppercompressing head disposed above said path, and powered means operativelyconnected to said upper head for reciprocating the same between a lowercontainer engaging position and an upper retracted position.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said upper head has a plurality ofrollers engageable with the containers during their movement along saidpath when the head is disposed in its lower position.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 including automatic control means disposedin said path having controlling connection to said powered means foractuating the same to lower the head incident to the passage of acontainer along said path.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 including an elongated stationary upperroller head disposed in substantially coplanar trailing relation to saidreciprocating head when in its lower position to maintain saidcontainers in compressed condition throughout their extent of travelalong the path.

1. An apparatus for settling the contents of lidded containerscomprising means for moving the containers along a predetermined path,and means engaging the containers from above and below while traversingsaid path vertically compressing said containers and verticallyvibrating the containers while so compressed.
 2. The apparatus of claim1 in which the container engaging means includes a weighted covergravitationally supported on the containers while they traverse saidpath.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 in which the cover has a series ofrollers in engagement with the containers.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1in which the container engaging means includes a substantiallyvertically movable platform supporting the containers from below.
 5. Theapparatus of claim 4 in which vertical movement is imparted to theplatform by a plurality of spaced vibratory devices.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 4 in which the platform has associated therewith a plurality ofrotary eccentric weights driven at substantially the same rate of speedfor vibrating the platform.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 in which theweights are rotated in opposite directions.
 8. The apparatus of claim 4in which the platform has a low friction surface for sliding of thecontainers therealong.
 9. An apparatus for settling the contents oflidded containers comprising means for moving the containers along apredetermined path, a vibratory substantially vertically movableplatform supportably engageable with the containers from beneath saidpath, an upper compressing head disposed above said path, and poweredmeans operatively connected to said upper head for reciprocating thesame between a lower container engaging position and an upper retractedposition.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9 in which said upper head has aplurality of rollers engageable with the containers during theirmovement along said path when the head is disposed in its lowerposition.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10 including auTomatic controlmeans disposed in said path having controlling connection to saidpowered means for actuating the same to lower the head incident to thepassage of a container along said path.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10including an elongated stationary upper roller head disposed insubstantially coplanar trailing relation to said reciprocating head whenin its lower position to maintain said containers in compressedcondition throughout their extent of travel along the path.